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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Shad is a popular and effective bait for catching blue catfish and there are several different ways you can use shad for bait. Thread fin shad or "thread fins" are generally smaller and mature fish rarely get more than five to six inches long so they are very commonly used whole, threaded on a hook.

Gizzard shad however get much larger and while some anglers choose to use them whole many prefer to use them fished in sections or chunks called "cut bait". If you're going to fish with cut bait you need to know how to cut shad for bait to assure you are getting the most impact from using it to catch cats.

First and foremost you need to remember to use fresh bait, preferably caught within 24 hours of the time you are fishing. This is proven to be most successful as frozen or older fish are generally less effective.

How To Cut Shad For Bait

There are a couple of different ways of cutting these fish up.

One popular technique to cut shad for bait is to take them and cut them in large chunks. Cutting at an angler you can go just behind the head and make a diagonal slice across the fish from the top to the bottom. Once this initial piece is removed you then go further back down the body, a few inches from the tail and make another slice from top to bottom. Some fishermen use the tails for bait but many choose to discard them.

Another popular method is to take the fish and fillet it like you would any other fish, removing the meat portions on boat sides of the shad and discarding the rest. The fillets are them threaded onto a hook for fishing.

There is no "right" way to do this but cutting into sections is certainly the most popular and what most cat fishermen will tell you is productive. Experiment with both methods and see what works best for you. Just make sure you hold onto your fishing rod because baiting a hook with this stuff has been known to produce some monster cats!

Learn more about how to cut shad and get more great cat fishing tips through the learn to catch catfish website.

Chad Ferguson is a professional catfish guide who operates guided cat fishing trips on Lake Lewisville, Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In addition to being a successful catfish guide Chad also manufactures a popular catfish bait called Redneck's Catfish Bait Soap, catfish jug lines called Redneck's Jug lines for Jug Fishing as well as other fishing products.

Prior of getting into the details, just make sure you have a valid fishing license. As an amateur fisherman you need to complete your fishing equipment with some basic things. One of the most basic things is to know the line type and also to match the right rod and bait casting reels to the fishing technique. The right match of these tools will deliver a pleasant fishing experience. No need to worry if the reel turns into some bird's nest, as even experienced fishermen run into this occasionally.

It is important to match the rods, the fishing reels, the lines and the lures. These will not cost much, around $25 to $40, but they could very well last for years. There are three important issues when shopping for rods: guides attached to the rod; grip holding the rod and are available in cork or foam. These are available in various lengths, so reflect on the comfort to the user. The third issue regarding the rod is the reel seat, the place where the reel is attached.

Fishing rods could be single or including two or more pieces when is put together. It is not easy to connect them: just attach the male and female ends together and ensure the guides are all lined up. The entire process is simple and effortless and might sometimes need lubricants. When buying a rod, try it out by gently bending it, in order to get the feel of it. Once again, think about the comfort when using this tool.

Any kind of rods will work, but it is preferable to have about 6' length and medium weight. A longer rod will work just as well. It is best to be straight and flexible as well, which doesn't break easily. The most popular and common rod is the Graphite as it is light but also strong. Wispy fishing rods need to be up to four meters long in order to be utilized in temperate winds for long casting of the fishing line.

Numerous fishing lines are available and thus it might be a challenge to find the best. Lines are typically made of nylon and mono filaments and are made available on spools of various lengths called Tests.

The rule of thumb is that each gear should match. A complete fishing kit should also contain such things as stringer, net, line clippers, first aid box, fishing knife, bait, fishing hat, sunglasses and of course, some snacks. Couple all of this with some of your most favorite Quantum fishing reels, and you will have a great day fishing, without a problem too much to handle since you are properly prepared.

Monday, February 14, 2011

I remember it like it was yesterday. My father and I were sitting in our 17 foot bass boat on Kentucky Lake on Father's Day and I locked onto a 4 pound large mouth bass within 20 minutes of arriving to our favorite fishing spot. It was from that very moment that I caught the Bass fishing fever that has stuck with me for so many years. It truly is an addiction, but a good one at that.

As I was growing up I did love to go fishing with my father. I was always the type to try to impress my father and I loved competing. We did all the father-son activities that most do, but as I grew up, I was getting interested in more things and I was becoming more and more independent. Plus, it just wasn't "cool" as a teenager to be hanging out with my parents. I got interested in driving, school sports, and the normal stuff. Finally, when I was 16, my father told me that the only thing he wanted for Father's Day was for me to go fishing with him. That was it. Sometimes I think he "planted" that big bass in hopes that I'd catch it because he already knew what it would do... get me addicted. In all honesty, it just worked out for the best and I loved every second of it.

I have been stuck on bass fishing ever since that day and I don't expect that feeling you get when reeling in a nice size largemouth will ever go away. It was definitely a day to remember and I have had many like that ever since.

This is truly an addiction that is a good one. The word "addiction" is commonly associate with something bad but in this case, it is completely opposite. I personally practice the catch and release method of fishing. I do like to conserve the fish and the only time I will ever keep any fish is when I plan on eating them with my family. That said, I have never eaten Bass. I have heard by many that it is not a good fish to eat; therefore I have just never tried it. I honestly never plan to either. It is a little ironic that Bass is my favorite type of fish to catch, though.

Fishing is something that can be shared and enjoyed by many generations. It can teach a lot of traits for the younger generation and I think that is important in today's society. It isn't like it used to be in the world and all of those great outdoor survival skills can truly come in handy so get yourself out there and have some fun. What are you waiting for?

Ryan has been writing articles online now for almost 4 years. You can check out his latest work about Buck 119 Pocket Knife and Buck 110 Pocket Knife to get a better idea of things he specializes in.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Abu Garcia fishing reels are a preferred fishing reel among groups of anglers everywhere and the Ambassadeur line of reels is especially popular with catfish anglers. The Abu Garcia 7000ic3 is monster reel used by many catfish anglers for catching big blue and flat head catfish.

Though many would consider this a heavy freshwater fishing reel the Abu Garcia 7000ic is just as capable of fishing for light to medium saltwater use as it is for heavy freshwater use.

If you're an angler who targets small to medium sized catfish with a big fish being caught on occasion then this is probably not the reel for you as it would prove too heavy and cumbersome for many cat fishing techniques. If small to medium sized catfish is more your style you should probably look more towards the Ambassadeur 6000 series.

If your after a monster catfish however the Abu Garcia 7000ic3 is an excellent choice for you, as this is capable of hooking and landing anything that swims in freshwater (or even saltwater).

Let's look at some of the features of the Abu Garcia 7000ic3:

HPCR ball (High Performance Corrosion Resistance)

Two Stainless Steel Ball Bearings

Instant Ant Reverse Bearing

Four Pin Centrifugal Brake

Carbon Matrix Drag System

Magnetic Cast Control

Chemical Nickel Coated Levelwind System

Dual Anti-Reverse

Line-Out Alarm (Bait Clicker)

If you're gearing up to catch monster catfish and target the biggest fish that swim in freshwater then you should take a hard look at the Abu Garcia 7000ic3. Spool this reel with some good monofilament fishing line and pick a good bait and you will be landing those monster catfish in no time.

Chad Ferguson is a professional catfish guide who operates guided catfishing trips on Lake Lewisville, Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In addition to being a successful catfish guide Chad also manufactures a popular catfish bait called Redneck's Catfish Bait Soap, catfish juglines called Redneck's Juglines for Jug Fishing as well as other fishing products.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Fishing can be a relaxing way to spend your weekends. It has been proven that fishing is one of the all-time treasured experiences of thousands of American families. However, any sport has its dangerous side and fishing is no exemption.

Majority of fishing equipment have sharp tools such as metal hooks which may lead to accidents when the fishing environment unexpectedly changes for the worse. Storms, hurricanes, wild currents, and other mishaps, could spoil your fishing trip.

If you are planning to go on a fishing expedition with family or friends, here is a list of urgent situations and what preparations you need to face each scenario.

1) Weather – Before packing up your bags and traveling to you fishing spot, consult or be aware of the weather conditions for the day and the following days. Whether you are fishing on shores or in a boat, you should be cautious of the conditions such as flash floods, storm movements and darkening of the skies. When signals such as extreme lightning strikes, you should head to dry land immediately.

Having a sun-drenched day is not really an “appropriate fishing day.” You should be aware that spending many hours with exposure to the sun could damage your skin. Be prepared by bringing sun block to avoid sunburns. You should be aware of heat sickness symptoms such as nausea, breathing difficulty, lightheadedness, and unable to concentrate on tasks. Prepare a supply of water or liquid beverages to keep hydrated.

2) Sharp fishing equipments – Since fishing includes many sharp tools, you should always be prepared to treat injuries by packing disinfectants such as medicated lotion or spray and hydrogen peroxide. If an incident leads the skin to bleed, you would need bandages, cotton or paper towel. Bring your own first aid kit.

3) Tangles – One of the most common fishing hindrances is wherein your line is caught in anything surrounding your fishing spot such as trees, logs, etc. Try to get your line or fishing rod out of the tangle immediately to avoid the problem that could lead into a major accident. You could either snap off the branches of the tree or carefully and slowly remove your line away from where it is tangled.

4) Bait – When you run out of bait, it could spoil your while fishing trip. Avoid this by splitting up the rest of the bait into halves, quarters or thirds. The worm, even if divided, could still move, so the divided worms could still lure your target fish.

Be prepared to face any scenario to keep your fishing adventure as relaxed as possible. With all these in mind, you could enjoy your fishing trip safely and successfully.

White Catfish are mostly tan or chalkish colored over most of their body, with their belly being bone-white or cream colored, but sometimes their upper body area can be more bluish-grey colored, depending upon water conditions such as algae. White catfish are a very pleasant, mellow tasting fish that is a prized catch for many anglers and even non fishermen. They are easy to clean and with a large bone structure they are an easy to eat fish.

White Catfish can survive just fine in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, ponds and even some streams. White Catfish spawn in late spring or early summer, depending upon the water temperature of the area they live in, generally for spawning they like a water temperature of around 68-72 degrees. Like most catfish they tend to feed off of or near the bottom of the water they reside in. These fish tend to become more active for food when it's night time or on very cloudy days, and they tend to stay down deep and become pretty inactive when the sun is out and shining bright.

White Catfish like hanging around underwater debris such as fallen trees, submerged logs and brush, often a favorite fishing spot for them in rivers, is near submerge bridge pilings out in the deeper current. White Catfish seem to love eating a variety of live food, including; smaller live fish such as shiners or large minnows, crayfish, insects such as grasshoppers and crickets that have fallen into the water, worms and night crawlers. If you are fishing for White Catfish and you do not have live bait, you may have good luck using a scent bait, such as: cheese, dough balls and blood baits.

Robert W. Benjamin has been an avid fishermen for years, in fact in 2010 he went on almost 50 different fishing trips, to ponds, lakes and rivers. Robert enjoys catching everything from pan fish such as crappies and bluegill, to bullheads, catfish, eels, pickerel, walleye and numerous other fish. If you want to increase your chances of catching more of your favorite fish, visit the website below:

Monday, February 7, 2011

When buying a fishing reel, it’s most important to know what kind of reel you will need depending on what kind of fishing you will be doing. There are mainly three different types of reels and knowing the basics of each will be a great help when going to look at reels.

The closed spin cast reel is the most popular type of reel on the market. This is probably because it is also the easiest type of reel to use, which makes it really great for beginners or those that don’t wish to spend a lot of time on their fishing line. This reel keeps the line fully enclosed, causing less tangles in the line. It is also very easy to cast due to the fact that this action is completed simply with the push of a back button. This type of reel is best used when fishing for smaller fish. They are very light and not that expensive, either.

An open face spinning reel is for those that have some experience in fishing and can manage the reel with little trouble. Experienced fishermen seem to prefer these types of reels because they have more control over the fishing line. They are easier to use than bait casters but are still very accurate. The drawback to this type of reel is that they can become tangled easier than closed spin cast reels because they do not line up with the fishing line. When looking at buying them, these types of reels fall right in the middle of the price points of other reels.

Bait casters are the most difficult type of reel to use. However, they are sometimes more preferred by those that spend a lot of time in or on water because they have many advantages for those that can use them effectively. They handle heavy line very well and they are also the most accurate and the easiest to control. They do come with some backlash so a lot of practice is needed when learning to fish with a bait caster. They are also the most expensive type of reel to buy.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Why is it so important to have more knowledge under your belt when bass fishing, simple, more fish?

Is your catch of bass becoming less on every fishing trip, did you ever wonder that the bait you are using is not to the fishes liking or could it be your choice of location to catch a whopper be the wrong speck.

If just starting out to join in the fun of bass fishing then it is important that you fully understand the needs on how to bait. Which bait to use - where are the best locations for bass fishing. The bigger your knowledge, the bigger the fish.

Bass Fishing is practiced by anglers who claim a sense of satisfaction when the fish start to bite. To become successful in this type of venture then you have to consider two things, the understanding of how to locate bass and to learn all there is to know about different techniques, presentations, and baits. All this information can be found in fishing manuals. Collect as much knowledge as you can from other anglers who are more familiar with the sport.

Just to know how to read a map will be beneficial when locating bass, the most practical places to search for lively Bass is after cold fronts and early spring. Weather conditions can either hamper or go in your favor when fishing for bass. If you are familiar with your waters then this will help a great deal in locating the best place to cast your rod. Water depth and temperature is a vital element that you need to be aware of because the depth or hollowness of the water will decipher if this part of the river - stream is where the bass are biting.

A consistent bass angler does more than just jump in his/her boat and cast bait. That is why fishing tournaments are so popular -competitive and fulfilling to all who take part in these contests.

There is much more than meets the eye behind this sport. Lake maps, what are they you ask, well there are two types; most anglers refer to them as the Hot Spot map and the Topographical. These route finders are different; the Topographical outlines more in detail where as the Hot Spot map displays the best fishing locations.

Vegetation areas - Irregular contours -Shallow water close to deep water areas - Points and point drops are main issues to look for when it comes to locating bass on any given waters.

To become as popular as the sport it’s self then, you have to think like the fish. I know this may sound insane, but you have to choose a quiet part of the stream or lake away from jet skis, kiddies paddling or playful dogs when fishing for bass. Any excitement may upset the apple cart. If you were the fish would you stick around with all the commotion above water?

Striped bass, stripers, rock fish and line siders. There is a certain mystique about the striper that makes everyone want to catch them. It's a beautiful fish, anyone who has seen one fresh out of the water with the sun shining off their silvery sides will agree. Catching them can be another matter entirely, though. There are a lot of "bottom fishermen" who may be switching to bass fishing in 2008 due to the possible regulations that could be applied to flounder, scup, and other species as a result of lawsuits by environmentalist groups. Fishing for bass is quite different from bottom fishing.

Bass are aggressive feeders at certain times of the day and also when large amounts of bait are around. This is usually pretty easy to spot, as bait will be jumping as the bass feed upon them. It’s a matter of motoring up and slowing down before you get too close and casting an appropriate lure in among them. Don't make the mistake of going right into or through the area of feeding fish, this is the quickest way to put an end to the fishing. Under these conditions a top water plug or soft plastic that matches the size and shape of the bait is a good choice. Cast in, and as soon as you hit the water, close up and begin a retrieve. Don't move it too fast unless they are bluefish.

Early morning is normally a very good time for bass, they will feed in the shallows near some kind of structure (rocks, drop offs, humps), usually when there is a current to sweep helpless bait past them. At this time top water plugs can be very productive because of the low light conditions. If it going to be overcast or foggy that day, so much the better for the bass fishing. Top water plugs should be surface swimmers, poppers, or walkers in white. They should be worked as if they are injured, occasionally stopping them during the retrieve. It's so cool when the fish smashes that surface plug, splashing, rolling, then running like hell. My favorite kind of bass fishing.

Once there is a good amount of light and the top water plugs stop producing, it’s time to switch to soft plastics and probably move into an area of structure in deeper water. Current is again important, the bass depend on this to sweep food past them and when the current is weak or non-existent you can normally expect that the bass won't be aggressive, you have to bang them off the nose then to get a strike. When drifting with soft plastics, first you get up drift of the structure with the boat and position the boat so you will drift over it, then turn the motor off. Next, consider the depth the fish may be holding in. If the structure is in 30 feet of water, cast out, leave the bail open and count to 15 (one thousand one to one thousand fifteen), then close it up and start your retrieve. You should also vary your retrieve, try slow, try fast, try jigging and reeling, until you find what the fish like. If you get a hit and don't hook up, work the bait very slowly with!

Short jigs as if it is injured. This will normally bring on follow-up strikes. The tendency is to haul back and reel hard, but this will only result in another strike with a bluefish, if it's a bass they most likely will not chase it. It's also possible to have a bluefish hit and bite part of the plastic off and then as you work it as if injured a bass will take it. This is because bass love to pick up after the bluefish, who tend to be messy eaters and will chop up a bait without finishing it off, leaving the pieces to fall to the bottom.

What soft plastic do you use? Well, you try to 'match the hatch', as it were. If you know what their feeding on, use something that approximates that bait. For sand eels, use green/white zooms, sluggish, or fin-s on a jig head. If they are feeding on bunker, use a 4", 5" or 6" Storm swim shad bait in bunker color. If they are feeding on herring, use a 6" Storm swim shad in pearl.

Trolling is another way to fish for bass. The hard part is knowing what to do when you not catching them. Most trolling is done with weights, down riggers, or wire line rods. This is because bass go into the lower part of the water column once the sun is up, so you need a way to get your rig down to where the bass are. We fish an area along the RI south shore which has lots of boulders and is around 28 feet deep. When trolling, we use wire outfits with 200 feet of wire on them. This gets the rig down about 20 feet or so, which is close enough considering how shallow the area is, and how the boulders stick up. We troll umbrellas, tube and worm rigs, or parachute jigs. Usually though we'll only resort to this method when we having trouble getting soft plastics down to the fish. It can be very productive. Speed can be anything from 2 knots to 6 knots, usually we vary it throughout the time we troll. It is not at all unusual to get hits right after changing speed. When it is not working, your speed is wrong, your rig is at the wrong depth, or the fish are gone. However, I always make the first assumptions before assuming the fish are gone. If you go half an hour without a fish, it is time to hang it up and move onward or try something different.

If you keep some of these tips in mind when you're out there then success can be yours when fishing for Bass.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Fishing boats are fishermen's best friend when it comes to traveling from place to place. In this kind of activity, a smaller-sized boat which would not exceed twenty feet would be good enough for an individual. But in the course of crew travelling or big fish catching, they must prefer the larger boats which could measure more than a hundred feet to be estimated, not only for the crew members, but also for the equipment and the space for storage for the big fishes they would eventually catch.

One must prefer to buy a boat that is intended to be resistant to strong winds and bad weather in the sea, though buying a boat with complete required equipment that come along may cost a lot of money. Even if most anglers are profound on renting boats rather than buying their own, it is still not advisable, for there might be instances where in some greedy business man will lend you a boat that is not safe.

In addition, most anglers hire crew members and captain who are more knowledgeable in the area and eventually manage to direct you to certain spots where fishes are easily found and caught. None the less, only the equipment and the hiring of the boat may cost pretty much for a regular middle class angler to afford. That is the reason why fishing expeditions are more likely for wealthy people.

Evidently, fishing boats come in different variation, from sizes to shapes and so on. Others are made intended for commercial use, and the other are for some sports or recreational fishing activities. Going back to history, boats before are more like canoe, which cannot go that far from the shore.

But nowadays, due to advance technologies and continuing research to improve vessels, boats are much more high quality in use. For example, there are those which can travel long distances, there are those which can store more than the usual catch and so on.

One of the well known types of fishing boat is the trawler that is equipped with many nets to maximize the volume of capture, in this course; this type is particularly for commercial use. Other types include long liners, seiners, factory ships, drifters and so on.

Perhaps you are sitting on the bank fishing and dreaming about your first fishing boat. Or, maybe you are out fishing in your old, worn out boat and wishing you had a new boat.

Eventually your dreams for a new boat will come true, so let's cover some tips for finding and purchasing that perfect fishing boat for you.

First decide where you are going to be using your new fishing boat; in the lakes or in the oceans. Are you just going to take short, daytime fishing trips or do you want to stay overnight on your boat. For overnight fishing trips, you may want to choose a boat with a hull to make riding the waves much easier on you.

Boats can be expensive to ones budget. So, you might want to check out prices in order to help you decide when you will use your new fishing boat. Don't forget the expense of a trailer with which to haul your boat if you don't have a place to keep it docked all the time or you don't live on the lake where you fish.

Depending on where you plan to fish, there are some nice, durable inflatable boats today that inflate and deflate very easily that make transporting your boat much easier and a lot less expensive. And, they are lightweight. They can also be fitted with electric trolling motors.

A boat warranty can save you down the road. Make sure that your boat is covered by a warranty before you purchase. Also, when you purchase your boat be sure to ask the dealer where you will be able to purchase parts or get service when you need it.

Boats are certified by the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturer's Association). They test boats which are made by different manufacturers. Check for this certification on the boat you want before you purchase. Their testing procedure is quite rigorous and you can feel safer owning a boat that has been certified by NMMA.

Boats must also be registered, just like your automobiles. And, of course, there is a registration fee. So, consider that when looking at your budget before buying a boat.

Once you have your new boat then you will have the expense of stocking and maintaining it. You will need to purchase and keep on board life jackets, first aid kits, coolers and probably different fishing gear from what you have used by fishing from the bank.

Think about how many times a year you go fishing. It might be more cost effective to rent a fishing boat for those occasions. But, if you do buy a boat, don't forget one of the fun things of owning a boat and that is to give it a name. To get you thinking, here are a few names that are already taken: Sea Spirit, Don't Even Ask, Seclusion, The Dog House, Thunder Wolf, Play N Hooky and Payne Relief. Have fun, maybe involve the rest of the family and pick something special for your new fishing boat name and paint it on your boat.

Fishing is a sport loved by many. It is a relaxing and rewarding get-a-way from the stresses of the daily work grind. Check out more about this great sport at: Got A Go Fishing and Sevylor Inflatable Boat

Friday, February 4, 2011

Well, going for fishing trip to Amazon is a dream for any adventurous nature lover. Are you a beginner in fishing and want the fishing trip be more rewarding and memorable, exciting and adventurous? It is better to have more knowledge about the nature of fishing. Well, let us focus on peacock bass at the moment. It is exhilarating to know more about the exact behaviour of peacock bass while fishing takes place.

The peacock bass is known for its ferocious striking power. They are aggressive and hit the surface lure with great violent force. Quiet often, it is deceptive and this is where an angler needs to be careful. Don't lose the patience as at this point as the angler may get into a mode where he wants to pull the drag away expecting to catch the bass; however, most of the time it doesn't happen.

Another notable point when the peacock bass strikes the lure is that it shows ferocious sheer power which is eventually misleading for the angler. The force of the strike makes the fisherman believe that the fish might be of a bigger size. The truth is that the peacock bass has such a sheer power and violent behaviour that can come from a huge fish type. This sort of fishing experience only comes from Amazon fishing trips because the area is well known for peacock bass and this fact make it so desiring to go for a fishing trip.

The angler who comes across the peacock bass often mistakes that fighting with them would be easy. However, the story is different because they do not get easily tired although it shows such a sheer power right from the beginning. The angler would think that they are going to drain out on their energy and may gradually give up; but it happens only after an elongated period of struggling with them.

It is said that the best time to lure a peacock bass is pre-spawn period. Also it is better to start your angling in the early morning hours or in the evening time when the light is softened. The early morning is one time they are wholly hungry and in a mood to gulp down anything and everything. This is the best time for an angler to put his flies.

Those who want to go for Amazon fishing adventures mostly focus on peacock bass fishing as they are the most available game fish in that area. The adventurer who wants to seek more thrills and excitement would never regret if he chooses the Amazon fishing vacation. Moreover, there are a thousand of guidelines available and a number of fishing and adventure companies waiting to help out these nature lovers who make it big in a Amazon fishing adventure trip.

Hello this is Ricardo Roizner. I have created this profile for Fishing And Adventures Lovers and forAmazon Fishing Trips. I have visited the places likeAmazon Peacock Bass Fishing. I am very crazy about Fishing Adventures, Fly Fishing and many more....